Person

John Laws was the second of 13 children born to Alexander, a coal hewer, born in Berwick-on-Tweed, and Isabella Dalziel Laws (nee Roxburgh), born in Newcastle. In 1911 when John was aged 14 and working at the colliery on the belt above ground, six of his siblings were living and seven had died.

He enlisted in the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. On 15 May 1915 the German Ministry of War listed his pay book as having been found on the battlefield at Ypres in their record of ‘pay books of English Soldiers dead or without holder’. However, on 24 September 1915, John wrote a letter home to say that he had been taken prisoner and was held at Munster II PoW camp in Westphalia, Germany.

The researcher who worked on this story found a John Laws who married Sarah Elizabeth in 1921 and had a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth (married name Smith). He died in Chester-le-Street General Hospital while living at 34 Sixth Avenue, Chester-le-Street in 1957.

International Red Cross, database of First World War prisoners of war:
https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/

Durham at War blog on 8th DLI at the Battle of Ypres:
http://ww1countydurham.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-second-battle-of-ypres-8th.html

Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert

Birth date: 1897

Death date: 02-Mar-1957

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 8 Queen Street, Sacriston
34 Sixth Avenue, Chester-le-Street (National Probate Calendar 1957)

Family: Parents: Alexander Laws (b 1849), Isabella Laws (nee Roxburgh) (b1858)
Siblings: James Laws (b 1894), Isabella Laws (b 1889), Elizabeth A Laws (b1886), Ellenor Laws (b1891), Sarah Laws (b1899)
Wife: Sarah Elizabeth Laws (1900- 7-Apr-1953) married in 1921
Daughter: Sarah Elizabeth Laws (married name Smith)
Father-in-law: Robert Roxburgh (b1831) retired Shoemaker born in Scotland (1901 census)

Military service:

3195
Private
8th DLI
PoW Munster II 21-May-1915 captured at Ypres

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office: Interns | Margaret Eason